Arlington, Va., June 9, 2008—The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, welcomed six new members to its council. Comprised of 18 district directors, the council serves as the advisory body to the board of directors.
“These newly elected individuals are some of our most dedicated contributors to science education,” said Page Keeley, president, NSTA. “They will use their expertise in the field of science education to bring about positive change and effective solutions to pressing issues facing the association and it members.”
New council members include:
Marilyn A. Richardson (NSTA District I Director), a science teacher at Hawthorne Brook Middle School and the K–8 science curriculum chair for the North Middlesex Regional School District in Townsend, Mass. For over 30 years Richardson has been a dedicated and active member of the science education community. In addition to teaching science, Richardson has also served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST). She is also the recipient of several awards, including the Massachusetts Science Educator of the Year Award, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, and the NSTA Distinguished Teaching Award.
Gregory D. MacDougall (NSTA District VI Director), a science specialist at the Central Savannah River Mathematics and Science Regional Center in Aiken, S.C. MacDougall has a wide range of experience and leadership in science education. He taught science for eight years, served as a high school science coordinator for a large urban school system, and was a Research Experience and Curriculum Enhancement for Teachers (RECET) field supervisor. Currently, MacDougall is the president of the South Carolina Science Supervisors Association (SCSSA).
Melissa Miller (NSTA District VII Director), a sixth grade science teacher and science chair at the Farmington School District in Farmington, Ark. With more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience, Miller brings a vast wealth of talent and expertise to NSTA. In addition to obtaining national board certification in early adolescence science, Miller has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and the Milken National Educator Award. She has also served as president of the Arkansas Science Teachers Association (ASTA).
Hedi Baxter Lauffer (NSTA District XII Director), a senior outreach specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Biology Education. An active and passionate member of the science education community, Lauffer began her professional work in a secondary science classroom in Wisconsin, where she was selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year and received national board certification. Currently, Lauffer works at the University of Wisconsin, co-leading a national project called Science Immersion and co-directing the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program.
Dr. Pamela Christol (NSTA District XIII Director), an assistant professor of science education at Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, Okla. A strong advocate for quality science education, Christol currently serves as vice president of the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA). She is also the president of the Oklahoma Association for Environmental Education (OKAEE), and is the college/university science division director for the Northeastern Oklahoma Mathematics and Science Teacher Association (NOMSTA).
Charles (Chuck) Cohen (NSTA District XVIII Director), a high school physics and chemistry teacher and department head at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto in Richmond Hill, Ontario. For over three decades Cohen has been very active in the science education community in Canada. He served as president of the Science Teachers Association of Ontario (STAO), was a member of the Toronto District School Board Chemical Safety and Review Committee, and worked on the Quality Assurance in Science Education Committee in Canada.
The six new members began serving their three-year term on June 1. Each member of the council is the official representative of NSTA in his/her geographic district and serves as the primary liaison on issues of importance to science and improvement of science education at all levels.
Council members are elected by the association’s membership, which currently includes more than 57,000.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 57,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact Information
Kate Meyer
National Science Teachers Association
kmeyer@nsta.org
(703) 312-9211
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